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Can anyone drink and drive safely?

I’m putting together a presentation on the dangers of drinking and driving for my senior year final project. I know that some people think that a few drinks are okay before you hit the road—is that true? Is it possible to drink and drive safely?

avatar
Samuel Todd · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
First, it’s awesome that you’re doing thorough research for your final project—it’s an important topic, no doubt! Here’s the bottom line: nobody can safely drive after they’ve been drinking.
It’s a nuanced issue, but drinking while driving always impairs a person’s ability to think properly and react quickly, which makes the roads more dangerous for everyone. Here’s a list of some other harmful effects of drinking:
  • Poor judgment
  • A slower reaction time
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Reduced coordination
  • Trouble tracking moving objects
Of course, this doesn’t mean that one drink will put you out of commission for a whole week—but you will need to make sure you’ve waited long enough for the effects to wear off. As a general rule of thumb, though, you’ll need to wait at least several hours, depending on how much alcohol you’ve had, how old you are, and how much you weigh.
While you’re taking the time to research such a crucial topic, take a minute to revisit your insurance rate.
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